Tag Archives: tabloids

The National Inquirer was established in 1926. This supermarket tabloid is designed to be an impulse purchase as you wait in line at grocery stores across the country. This magazine will pay sources for tips, a practice generally disapproved of by the mainstream press. Subsequently, many of the stories inside are fantasies, gossip and rumors that are unsubstantiated. For this reason, the National Inquirer has developed a reputation as a joke, something to read for a good laugh and not taken as a serious source for journalism. Nonetheless, times are changing and what used to be considered crazy is now being verbalized daily by paid protestors.

He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went into a Samaritan village to make arrangements for Him; 53 but the people would not welcome Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem, Luke 9:52-53.

Due to human nature, anyone can make bizarre, outlandish and stupid comments. During the first century, the disciples made a statement that was front cover material, a story that might peak the interest of the National Inquirer if it existed at that time. The headlines reading something like “Sodom and Gomorrah 2,” as disciples try to convince Jesus to call down fire from heaven. However, this slip of the tongue is immediately addressed by Jesus. In the passage below, Jesus is unsettled by this thought, correcting this error by explaining the proper mindset to possess in the future.

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them [and He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are;56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”] And they journeyed on to another village, Luke 9:54-56.

Due to the invention of social media, comments, tweets and words are getting individuals into trouble every day. Employers are now screening the internet, examining previous posts by prospective candidates. Many qualified people are being denied the job of their dreams due to careless statements from their past. While you may feel compelled to express your point of view from time to time, you might want to reconsider before you press send. If not you will find yourself in a similar situation to the disciples, embarrassed and rebuked publicly.

The History Channel has a series of shows related to prophecy. Nostradamus programs tend to get the most publicity, concentrating upon his published collection that first appeared in 1555. While there are shows dedicated to Bible prophecy, there is one author who gets overlooked. The apostle Paul makes a prediction in a letter to one of his disciples which is like a headline from one of the major tabloids.

They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 2 Timothy 3:6.

Apparently, there was a growing trend of bad boys having a negative influence on woman during the first century. Based upon the vocabulary used in the passage above, Paul suggests that men were preying on gullible women, then manipulating females to get what they want. Based upon the amount of children born out of wedlock and dysfunctional homes in America today, Paul’s prophecy is a sad sign of troubles times.

Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth, 2 Timothy 3:7.

The notion that love is blind applies to this moral dilemma. While many individuals often say, “I’ll never do that again,” when push comes to shove several repeat the same mistakes time after time. Thus, bad boys continue to intrigue naive woman, curious what it would be like to date them. Unfortunately, despite having a knowledge of right from wrong does not stop the desperate or tempted from tasting temporary pleasures. May the Holy Spirit pierce through this darkness so that these sad signs of a fallen society will turn around soon.

It seems like every year there is some famous professional athlete, Hollywood star or politician involved in a scandal. Cable news, the tabloids and twitter often explode over battles between he said, she said. In the end, it takes two to tango, reaching a state where sin is consensual.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! – 1 Corinthians 10:12

From a spiritual perspective, every day if like walking through a room with multiple doors. On the way out, sometimes you might chose the wrong door, ending up in a bathroom or closet. When danger arrives on the scene, those who stick around to see what will happen might just be an accomplice to sin.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

According to the apostle Paul, God provides an emergency exit for every sort of temptation. This isn’t like the game show Let’s Make a Deal, having a choice between door number one, two or three. Rather, the Lord has provided every human being with a conscience to follow the way out. Conviction, guilt and uneasiness serve as a global positioning system to avoid evil.

But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. – James 1:14

Nonetheless, the moment freewill is exercised, opting to indulge your fantasies, sin is consensual. Instead of heeding the warning signs, enticement draws people toward temporary pleasures. One of Jesus’ disciples uses the analogy of a fish lured out of hiding toward an attractive bait. While some fish may see the attached hook, the grips of lust is too powerful. This is where desire trumps common sense, leading saints and sinners to do the unthinkable. The next time temptation calls your name, listen for God’s still small voice to find the way out of a difficult situation.